Steve Serby: Marc, I will concede that no one, not even some hybrid of Red Auerbach and John Wooden in their primes – could rescue these Knicks as presently constituted. Jackson would face the same problem that Flip Saunders, or Mike Saunders, or Larry Brown would – Living Without Ew. Not to mention Living With Them – the Dolans. But just by showing up, the Zen Master would do for the franchise what Pat Riley did when Dave Checketts lured him to the Garden: He would make the Knicks matter again.

Marc Berman: This is about winning, not mattering. Isiah Thomas’ and Stephon Marbury’s arrivals made the Knicks matter again, as their sellout crowds demonstrated. But Phil Jackson is not the right fit for a team so far away from being a title contender. He wouldn’t be able to handle the losing. Riley had Patrick Ewing entering his prime.

What would Phil have? A talented-but-moody point guard whose game is not suited for the triangle. Save some of that $10 million per year spent on Jackson and come up with a compensation package with the Pistons to get Larry Brown back to his roots. Brown’s by far the better defensive coach and that’s what these Knicks lack: a defensive mentality.

Serby: Before you interrupted me, Marc, I was about to suggest that Jackson would have more motivation than Brown or anyone else in the mix. First and foremost, he belongs on the best and brightest stage in the NBA, even if the Dolans have somehow managed to turn the lights off. Jackson would have a chance to prove once and for all that he doesn’t require Michael Jordan or Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant to win a championship. And what better place to win his 10th crown and pass Auerbach than here? Where he won a championship as a player under Red Holzman?

Berman: It sounds so storybook, Steve, like one of your LT tales or NCAA columns. But it’s not happening. Jackson is a specialized champion, able to take a team on the cusp of a title and bring it home. He’s never done it another way. In his five years in the CBA with the Albany Patroons, when he was all but blackballed from the NBA when Zen wasn’t “en,” he won a single championship and was usually outcoached by the late Bill Musselman. Jax handles superstar egos better than Brown. Problem is, the Knicks don’t have any superstars. Simply, Brown is the better teacher.

Serby: I can’t believe what I’m hearing from you, Marc. Brown’s a Hall of Fame coach, but how long before he changes his mind on the job? Or claims he’s been misquoted by you? Before Starbury drives him bonkers? Jackson stays in one place. Like Riley, he would make playing for the Knicks appealing again for free agents. Could he work with Isiah? For 10 mil, I’d say he could work with Attila The Hun. Or even George Steinbrenner. Isiah, with his job on the line, would be smart enough to import players who fit the triangle offense, and win praise for subjugating his ego. Jordan would come to the games. And if all else fails, if the Knicks continue to stink, remember that Jackson is so tall he would block the view of all the lucky fans seated behind the Knick bench.

Berman: No question Jackson deserves his celebrity-coach moniker but that’s another issue. Can he work with Isiah? These two are totally different people and Jackson is going to want a lot of say in personnel, which he’d have in L.A., since his potential father-in-law calls the final shots. Jax may push for a Marbury trade that could create tension. Marbury is not a triangle point guard because he likes to have the ball in his hands too much. Gary Payton couldn’t grasp it either. It’s an extremely complicated offense that these low-IQ Knicks will never grasp. Plus, they scored enough points last season. They need a coach who breathes in defense, not incense. Plus, Phil would miss Jeanie Buss too much.